LTC opening new facility, nursing center

The Louisiana Technical College branch in Jefferson will soon open a state-of-the-art manufacturing center this spring that will feature more than $600,000 in new equipment.

The 3,200-square-foot lab will be fully equipped with Integrated System Technology and will provide a complete range of learning materials from equipment trainers to online multimedia with virtual trainers.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center will offer the following courses: Technical Math, Industrial Safety, Introduction to Computers, Technical Reading, Communications, Electrical, Machinist, Industrial Maintenance, Thermal and Welding. It is projected that 10,000 skilled workers in these areas will be needed by 2009 in the areas impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Because of that, the center will train 100 students a year to help meet this critical need.

In addition to the hi-tech manufacturing center, LTC-Jefferson will also be home to a new nursing center, which is more than 5,000-square-feet. The Delgado Charity School of Nursing’s practical nursing program will move from New Orleans into this new building.

The nursing center will feature extensive classroom and lab space including a 100-desk computer lab and a skill lab complete with cutting-edge technology and equipment.
Delgado Charity School of Nursing is ranked No. 1 in Louisiana in both the number of nursing students and graduates it has and it also supplies the state with almost one-third of its nursing staff. Post-Katrina, nursing is one of the career areas in greatest demand and the Louisiana Health Works Commission has estimated that the state currently needs more than 2,500 licensed practical nurses.

The 14-month nursing program will accept 80 applicants for the new center beginning in June.

For more information on either of these programs, contact LTC-Jefferson at 504-671-6700.